Specialist Neurological or spinal conditions?

[Hnrpiggies]

So the saga continues

I’ve made multiple posts about this particular piggy. She’s had major weight loss that was treated with anti inflammatory medicine. She got better. Came off the medication, lost weight, went back on the medication and got better again.
However today when I checked on the pigs, she couldn’t walk. She was dragging her back legs and kept falling to one side. She wasn’t eating, drinking or pooping properly. What was coming out was tiny and wasn’t separating from her bum it was staying connected. It was like all of her muscles werent working well. She could sniff food but not eat it. Like her coordination was off.

So I had my dad rush her to the vets as I was supposed to be at work. Before they left she was walking again but still wobbly.

they’re back now. The vet said he thinks it is a neurological or spinal condition and gave her some more medicine. I’m not sure what it is as I wasn’t at the vets with them but the bottle says ‘rheumocam dog oral Suso’. She is running around and eating almost normally now.
He told us if she gets worse, we need to go back but if she gets better we can keep her on this medication long term.

Any idea what kind of neurological or spinal conditions could cause this? And how can I look after a piggy with neuro/spine problems best?

I don’t know anything about spine or brain problems in guinea pigs.

I’m sort of afraid the medication is just masking symptoms of something more serious but I’m not a vet so I don’t really know.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

Unfortunately, this is a very tricky area unless the problem is showing up clearly on an x-ray (spine damage) and there is very little to go on for any vet, when it comes to guinea pigs as any treatment is usually pretty episodal and ad-hoc. In terms of research, guinea pigs lag badly behind other pet species at the best of times. Your vet is trying their best but they are metaphorically out in the middle of newhere as far as diagnosis and treatment of guinea pigs in this aspect is concerned.

Sorry, we cannot help you any further; I certainly cannot even start to guess what your piggy is up against.

 

[Hnrpiggies]

Hi!

Unfortunately, this is a very tricky area unless the problem is showing up clearly on an x-ray (spine damage) and there is very little to go on for any vet, when it comes to guinea pigs as any treatment is usually pretty episodal and ad-hoc. In terms of research, guinea pigs lag badly behind other pet species at the best of times. Your vet is trying their best but they are metaphorically out in the middle of newhere as far as diagnosis and treatment of guinea pigs in this aspect is concerned.

Sorry, we cannot help you any further; I certainly cannot even start to guess what your piggy is up against.

She’s my baby. I just hope she’s not in pain. I’d rather have her put to sleep if she’s suffering but the medication seems to be helping. She’s back to her normal self already. A huge difference from this morning! She’s gone from being completely unable to move to running around happily.

 

[Wiebke]

She’s my baby. I just hope she’s not in pain. I’d rather have her put to sleep if she’s suffering but the medication seems to be helping. She’s back to her normal self already. A huge difference from this morning! She’s gone from being completely unable to move to running around happily.

It is rather pointing towards a neurological problem, but what is anybody's guess.

 

[Hnrpiggies]

It is rather pointing towards a neurological problem, but what is anybody's guess.

I woke up today to her completely unable to walk again. I think it’s definitely the end of the road for her. She can’t move at all.

 

[Zorro1]

That's so sad.
I really hope she's able to move again, soon.

 

[Hnrpiggies]

After she seemed to make a miraculous recovery yesterday, I woke up today to her in even worse shape than she was. I’m convinced she’s had a stroke or is having seizures. Either way, it’s time to make her comfortable. She’s ready to go and I’m gonna give her all the love I can while she’s still here.

That's so sad.
I really hope she's able to move again, soon.

i think she’s saying goodbye. She’s snuggled right up in my neck.

 

[Zorro1]

Don't mind me asking, but is she fairly old?

 

[Hnrpiggies]

Don't mind me asking, but is she fairly old?

She’s only 3

 

[Zorro1]

 

[Hnrpiggies]

She keeps having seizures but she’s holding on. I kind of wish she would just die rather than go through this. She’s had probably 5 or 6 that I’m aware of today. I have a video but can’t upload it here.

 

[Hnrpiggies]

Taking her to the vets to be put down in 2 hours because even in death she’s still being a stubborn little pig like she always has been :’)

 

[Zorro1]

I hope at least she really enjoyed her three years of life.